I long have been beating the drum for Helton to be the first player in franchise history to make the Hall of Fame. He will have my vote from his first year of eligibility. I say Helton is to the Rockies what Stan Musial was to the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s the man. But, believe you me, Hall voters will hold Coors Field against Helton. Listen to Oren Lomena and Peter Burns, my co-hosts on The Press Box, debate Helton’s candidacy here:

Oh, boy. The Broncos lost Pro Bowl pass-rusher Elivs Dumervil in a fax machine. Front-office executive Matt Russell allegedly ended a drunken-driving trip by ramming a police vehicle. And now Von Miller, the team’s best player, faces the possibility of a four-game suspension. I’m not sure this is what John Elway had in mind when he stated the desire for his team to be a little uncomfortable when entering the 2013 NFL season.

If Miller is lost to suspension, can the Broncos be considered No. 1 in anybody’s NFL power rankings? I say: No way, no how. I had a tough time putting Denver in the top 3, before losing Miller for 25 percent of the regualr season became a distinct possibility. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio, however, is more optimistic. Listen to us argue it out here:

Todd Helton has given the Rockies 17 seasons and nearly 2,500 hits. The best way the Rockies could honor Helton and tell the Toddfather thanks for the memories? Games in September 2013 that matter. A playoff run.

So I say the Rockies should go out and get Helton, not to mention all the other players on this team of over-achievers, a starting pitcher. Giving Helton some help to make a final playoff push would be a far cooler farewell gift than a rocking chair or a pick-up truck. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio, however, disagrees. He says the Rockies have paid Helton more than $150 million in salary through the years, and the team owes their veteran first baseman nothing more than that. Listen to us argue it out here:

It appears shortshop Troy Tulowitzki will return from injury in time to play in the All-Star Game. But will it be in time to save the Rockies’ season? Colorado’s record was an ugly 9-16 in 25 games Tulo missed with a cracked rib. But as the team opens a critical National League West series against the Dodgers, Colorado stood only 3.5 games out of first place in the division.

Can Colorado still win this thing? Pains me to say it, but I think the West has been won. Not by Arizona, which currently resides atop the division. The prohibitive favorite is Los Angeles, because in a mediocre division, the Dodgers boast the best hitter (Yasiel Puig) and best pitcher (Clayton Kershaw). Listen to Peter Burns and I argue it out here:

Matt Russell has made football in Colorado great, from his days as a decorated linebacker for the CU Buffs to his role building the Broncos into a Super Bowl contender as an executive with the local NFL team. In the mountain town of Breckenridge over the Fourth of July weekend, Russell was arrested on multiple charges, including DUI and careless driving, after his truck collided with a police SUV.

So how does the NFL respond? Commissioner Roger Goodell is often applauded for protecting the league shield, when he suspends players for off-field trouble. Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall was fined more than $50,000 and missed a game in 2008 due to suspension. Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in 2010. While Russell has apologized, punishment from the league seems likely. What should it be? Listen to Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio and I discuss it here:

From opening day of the season, Colorado outfielder Michael Cuddyer has been the Rockies’ most valuable player. But does Cuddyer deserve a spot on the National League all-star team ahead of Yasiel Puig, the rookie phenom from the Los Angeles Dodgers?

“Guys who make the All-Star Game are guys that have a great first half, not a great three weeks,” San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy recently said. Well, that would be an advantage to Cuddyer. His batting average is .343, with 15 home runs and 52 runs batted in, which all adds up to an OPS of .991. In a month, however, Puig has batted .430, with eight homers and 19 RBIs to go with an OPS of 1.174 In addition, Puig has turned around a disappointing Dodgers’ season.

I would rather see Puig than Cuddyer in the All-Star Game. Why? Because baseball is supposed to be fun, unless you are an old-school crank named Bochy. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio, however, believes Cuddyer is more deserving of a spot on the National League’s 34-man roster. Listen to us argue it out here:

The Rockies lost 98 games a year ago. But on the first day of July, they awoke two games out of first place in the mild, mild National League West. Call me a crazy optimist. But Colorado has a shot at winning the division for the first time in its history.

I say go for it. Trade for a quality starting pitcher, and I think the Rockies have a 40 percent shot of making the playoffs. Matt Garza? Yovani Gallardo? Stand pat, and Colorado could well finish last in the division. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio sees things differently. Listen to us argue it out here:

Maybe defense wins championships, but it will be the Broncos’ offense that must intimidate NFL opponents in 2013. Can Denver have the top-scoring offense in the league? And how do the Broncos improve on the impressive statistics produced during quarterback Peyton Manning’s first season with the club?

I say the most critical addition to the offense will be running back Montee Ball. Provided he beats out Ronnie Hillman as starting running back, there’s every reason to believe Ball can be a serious contender for the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year. Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio, however, believes the new player who will have the biggest impact on offense is Tom Brady’s old buddy, receiver Wes Welker. Listen to us argue it out here:

The Broncos are on the road to the Super Bowl. Their roster is loaded with top-notch veterans, from quarterback Peyton Manning to cornerback Champ Bailey. But as Bailey has taught me: “A team is only as good as its young players.” To win a championship, Denver needs a promising young player, either cornerback Chris Harris or defensive lineman Derek Wolfe, to blossom into a bona fide star.

Here’s the good news: Both Harris and Wolfe have Pro Bowl potential, Pro Bowl work ethic and Pro Bowl ambition. So which one gets to the Pro Bowl first? I’m guessing Wolfe. Lance Britton of Mile High Sports Radio tabs Harris. We have our reasons. Listen to us state the cases for Harris and Wolfe here:

Kudos to the Rockies. A year ago, they were an embarrassment. Now, the Rockies are headed into Memorial Day weekend in first place. But this team needs more starting pitching to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.

So let’s make a deal, general manager Dan O’Dowd. Start shopping for a pitcher. I say: How about Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs? Listen to Peter Burns and I discuss the pros and cons of trading for pitcher here:

Peter Burns is a radio show host for Fox Sports Radio and Mile High Sports Radio in Denver. He is a former collegiate athlete and grew up in Baton Rouge, La. A self-proclaimed fan-analyst, Peter has covered every major sport for over a decade, including four NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs.